Ranking Raiders’ Round 3 selections

The Raiders are currently without a pick in the first round, trading it to New England for Richard Seymour, but have selections in the second through seventh rounds. Oakland has one pick in the third round, No. 81 overall. Here’s a ranking of the club’s third-round picks since 1995:

(Overall-year)

1. LB Kirk Morrison, San Diego State (78-2005): Never had less than 91 tackles in a season, coming in as a reserve in his first game and then starting 79 straight. The Raiders’ defense struggled against the run for most of his tenure, but they got an awful lot of production, leadership and good during his tenure before the selection of Rolando McClain last year.

2. DE Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin (71-2009): Is it just me or does Shaughnessy look to be on the verge of being a Pro Bowl player? Has 11 sacks in 32 games, can be stout against the run and plotting his improvement on a graph would illustrate a steady ascent.

3. T Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale (69-2010): The Raiders may get more at let tackle out of Veldheer than they got from first-round attempts with Mo Collins (1998), Matt Stinchcomb (1999) and Robert Gallery (2004). A very encouraging and surprising rookie season for a Division II player. Seeing how Veldheer adjusts without Gallery on his side and with new coaching will be huge. Needs to show improvement against top pass rushers.

4. RB Justin Fargas, USC (96-2003): The “crash test dummy” led the Raiders in rushing from 2006 through 2008, gaining 1,009 yards in 2007. Fargas’ hands were so-so and he didn’t run well in the red zone, but he no one ran harder between the 20s.

5. C Adam Treu, Nebraska (72-1997): A 10-year veteran who served mostly as a backup but started 44 times, which is more than you get out of most third-round picks. Treu was also the Raiders’ long snapper.

6. FB Jon Ritchie, Stanford (63-1998): A classic block and catch fullback who fit perfectly in Jon Gruden’s system, Ritchie had 129 of his 150 career receptions as a Raider, where he played from 1998 through 2002. Had a career best 45 catches for 408 yards in 1999.

7: DE DeLawrence Grant, Oregon State (89-2001): A Raider for five seasons, Grant was a very underrated performer on the 2002 AFC championship season. He started 14 games, had three sacks and executed a skill Al Davis holds dear _ holding the edge and playing the bootleg, funneling play toward the middle.

8: WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, Texas-El Paso (99-2007): After returning 44 punts for 570 yards and three touchdowns in 2008 along with 22 catches for 366 yards and four scores, Higgins appeared to be on the verge of being a key playmaker on offense and special teams. He has regressed in both areas in each of the last two seasons and is not a lock to make the 2011 roster with ascension of Jacoby Ford.

9. T Mario Henderson, Florida State (91-2007): Davis made a draft-day deal to get the pick to take Henderson, who struggled initially, was mocked by former coach Lane Kiffin, but started the last five games in 2008 and all 16 in 2009. However, Henderson, who struggled with his confidence, failed to seize the job and was benched in favor of Veldheer. His offseason has included an arrest for possession of an unregistered hand gun.

10. LB Sam Williams, Fresno State (83-2003): Had 12 of his 24 starts in 2006, but never developed into the force at strong side linebacker Davis had hoped when he traded up to get Williams in 2003. He has stuck around this long because the boss likes him, because he’s an excellent locker room presence and has value on special teams.

11: QB Andrew Walter, Arizona State (69-2005): A classic drop-back passer who took a ferocious beating (46 sacks) in the Art Shell-Tom Walsh offense but wasn’t a fit for Kiffin in terms of skill set or body language. Walter finished 2-7 as a starter and never made the 53-man roster of another team after being released.

12: FS Stuart Schweigert, Purdue (67-2004): It’s true playing single deep free safety for the Raiders is one of the most difficult positions in football, and few made it look more difficult than Schweigert, who too often seemed to be missing the key tackle as the last line of defense during his 42 starts from 2005 through 2007.

13: RB Joe Aska, Central Oklahoma (86-1995): Aska had power and speed that had Davis dreaming of Bo Jackson, but other than an 86-yard game against the Bears and a 136-yard explosion against the Jets in 1996, failed to adjust to the professional game after being a finalist for the Harlon Hill award while gaining 1,659 yards in his senior year in college.

14: T Paul McQuistan, Weber State (69-2006): Drafted to be a power and gap blocker for the Art Shell Raiders, McQuistan was not a match for the zone schemes installed by Kiffin and Tom Cable in 2007. He played in only four games in his last two years with the Raiders, struggling when he did play and failing to stay healthy.

15: Tim Kohn, Iowa State (85-1997): Spent parts of 1997 and 1997 with the Raiders but was never active for a game.

16: DE Quentin Moses, Georgia (65-2007): Not long after defensive coordinator Rob Ryan declared Moses “unblockable” during training camp, the rookie failed to make the final cut over fellow rookie seventh-round pick Jay Richardson, pocketing a $610,000 signing bonus. He was not just a third-round pick but the first pick of the third round _ the highest drafted player that year to fail to make the team that picked him. Moses has played the last four years with Miami with two starts and 3.5 sacks.

NOTABLE THIRD-ROUND PICKS IN RAIDERS HISTORY

– T Art Shell was the No. 80 pick overall in 1968 and became one of the best left tackles in the NFL history and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

– RB Mark Van Eeghen, the No. 75 overall pick in 1974, is the Raiders’ second-leading all-time rusher behind Marcus Allen with 5,907 yards. He had 1,273 yards rushing, third best in franchise history, in 1977.

– FS Vann McElroy, the No. 64 overall pick in 1982, played nine years with the Raiders before finishing his career with a year in Seattle. He had 31 interceptions, was considered a sure tackler and made one Pro Bowl.

– LB Gerald Irons, No. 76 overall in 1970, started ever game from 1972 through 1975 before being traded to Cleveland. He was a solid player who was traded to make room for a great one _ Ted Hendricks.

– FB Steve Smith, No. 81 overall in 1987, distinguished himself as one of the NFL’s most fearless and punishing lead blockers for Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen, starting 84 games for the Raiders from 1987 through 1993. He finished his career in Seattle. Smith has been afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease since 2002.

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

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Jhill…..raiders are playing for postseason at worse this year. Loper was signed as insurance. Al aint sold on dude as starter at all

Just Fire Baby

So where will Jacoby Ford land on Jerry’s list of top 4th round picks?

Bauce Madness

But hey lets be all thankful overrated Non D asomugone and Michael Bluff are gone!

Just Fire Baby

I am indifferent to Nnamdi leaving, but Huffy24/7 was our best defensive player at times last year.

Stevie Brown and Hiram Eugene aren’t even in the same stratosphere as a single-deep safety as Huff is.

Buckeyeraider

‘Sup fellas.

I like John Moffitt from Wisconsin. I think he’d be a great pick in Rd 4. He could challenge Loper @LG (hopefully start) and backup Satele at Center so Veldheer doesn’t have to.

The draft guide I have calls him the best run blocking guard available. The Sporting News, however rips him to shreds and gives him a 6th rd grade. I don’t get it. They seem to really undervalue the O-lineman in this years draft guide. They give his teammate Gabe Carimi a 3rd rg grade. Mayock has him in his top 20.

TSN calls him weak and says he doesn’t finish blocks. I don’t see it. My Buckeyes went into Madison as the undefeated #1 team in the land and left Camp-Randall with a bloodied nose.

The other night ESPNU replayed the Rosebowl vs TCU. I watched through the prism of the upcoming draft. Marcus Cannon started at LT for TCU. He’s projected to move to the right in the pros maybe even inside to guard. He moves really well for such a big man. He would defenitely be worth a look.

To me Moffitt looked really impressive. On the final drive he was lined up at left guard..pulled and led the play to the right and took the MLB and drove him into the safety and buried them both. Clay rumbled for sixty til he ran out of gas. Herbstreidt ponted out Big John Moffitt on the play.

Later he drove the TCU DT five yards off the ball and planted him. The dude got up swinging at him.

Moffitt looks like a perfect Raider to me and would look real nasty lining up next to Veldheer, IMHO.

Your own analysis of Veldheer at LT in the 2nd half of the season had him as a shaky LT. Barnes was a LT for an Oline that was above avg in Jax and dominated as far as RB goes.

A guy is athletic enough to play LT, but he can’t play C? LMFAO! The guy’s issue at C last year had more to do with Cable, I mean Al, throwing him in there with no practice. Green as an avacado. He’d be much better with a full offseason practicing there and a full training camp with starter reps. Better than Satele anyway.

You’d rather have Langston Walker at RT than a guy we can get with the 48th pick? Really ????

Bauce Madness

Damn cant believe i agree Kell on huff lol

Bauce Madness

Jhill we aint getting a RT with the 48th pick so kill that noise

edward teach

Buckeye,

Agree with your take on Moffitt and Cannon. Would love to have them both.

Oh, and this is for the Jamarcus apologists that are convinced that it’s the Raiders’ fault things turned out the way they did for him in Oakland…

I was scouting Cannon and Moffit in that TCU/Wisconsin game and they are both good football players who will keep getting better.

Bauce Madness

A’s vs Tigers in Oakland tonite…..Emeryville chamber of commerce having a mixer in eastside clubhouse…….Bauce will be there so if anyone who has issue with me can come speak on it

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ KoolKell

Bauce

You’re such a little hanger-on, groupie pootbutt.

HairyBush

JaMarcus Russell’s “life coach,” John Lucas, has cut ties with the 2007 draft bust and asked him to leave Houston, according to Yahoo’s Jason Cole.
Lucas, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft and all-American tennis player, is renowned for helping athletes with addiction and personal problems. After initially working hard to get back to the NFL, Russell had lost motivation, forcing Lucas to bring in Charles Barkley as a mentor. Both men have now thrown up their hands in frustration with Russell’s “deteriorating work habits.” Perhaps most damning, Ravens president Ozzie Newsome, a fellow Alabama native, refused a request to meet with Russell in January. Said one source to Cole, “The title of your article should be, ‘It’s Over.’”

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ KoolKell

Bree the Wannabe

Buckeyeraider

DKnight,
This is basically a re-post from about a week ago, but here goes again anyway.
It seems like most assume if Huff leaves (I hope he doesn’t) that the competition for FS will be between Stevie Brown and Hiram Eugene.

I’m not so sure that AD doesn’t have visions of Jack Tatum dancing in his head with the thought of moving MM34 back there. It would help validate his 2nd round surprise selection.

I know the general consencus is that Mitchell is an in-the-box SS type only. That he is too stiff or doesn’t have the hips to play man coverage.

I’m not so sure, though. I thought MM34 held up surprisingly well in coverage last year, especially against some of the leagues better TE’s. He’s defenitely got the speed for it. One of the things that opened the eyes of scouts from the Bears, Browns and obviously Raiders was when he ran an eye popping 4.43 40 at 220 lbs at his Ohio U pro day. That might not be Taylor Mays 4.2, but it’s haulin for a safety.

People like to talk about Stevie Brown having a nose for the ball because of a few plays he made in preseason, but I don’t think MM34 gets the credit he deserves for the plays he’s made in his limited playing time. I believe last year he forced a fumble, recovered one, had an int and made a nice play to deflect a pass that was intercepted in the endzone. Those were in real games, not mop-up duty late in preseason games.

I wish somebody would post a link to his youtube clip for those who haven’t seen it or maybe haven’t seen it in awhile. I think it’s damn impressive. The guy seems to have range, intincts and defenitely likes to hit and times ‘em well.

I don’t know how it will play out, but I wouldn’t discount him having the opportunity to win a starting spot in camp and preseason. If Branch rebounds from a down year last year and holds onto SS, then MM34 might get a shot to replace Huff. He might just be the most intimidating presence they’ve had back there in awhile.

DKnight007

104.Just Fire Baby Says:
April 14th, 2011 at 10:45 am
I am indifferent to Nnamdi leaving, but Huffy24/7 was our best defensive player at times last year.

Stevie Brown and Hiram Eugene aren’t even in the same stratosphere as a single-deep safety as Huff is.

^^^^^^^^
Exactly.

DKnight007

114.Bauce Madness Says:
April 14th, 2011 at 11:49 am
A’s vs Tigers in Oakland tonite…..Emeryville chamber of commerce having a mixer in eastside clubhouse…….Bauce will be there so if anyone who has issue with me can come speak on it

^^^^^^^
Cool. I b there or in west side club by the bar wearing an A’s hat backwards.

Just Fire Baby

J,

I thought Jered was a tad shaky down the stretch and gets a huge pass around these parts, but still a rookie, and I am certainly willing to give him a year to see some growth.

Not sold on Walker at RT, that’s why I threw in my UNM Lobo project Byron Bell in the mix as well.

I just don’t think we need to change everything up. I knew there will be no Bob, and Carlisle the great will probably move on, but can we at least keep a couple positions the same and build on the O-line’s success from last year, especially against division foes?

Just Fire Baby

The Bauce, Dknight and about 8,498 others will be in attendance tonight.

Kobe should have just pulled a Timmy Hardaway when pressed to expand on his on the floor comment.

The PC nonsense in this country continues to amaze me by the day.

HairyBush

JaMarcus Russell’s “life coach,” John Lucas, has cut ties with the 2007 draft bust and asked him to leave Houston, according to Yahoo’s Jason Cole.
Lucas, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft and all-American tennis player, is renowned for helping athletes with addiction and personal problems. After initially working hard to get back to the NFL, Russell had lost motivation, forcing Lucas to bring in Charles Barkley as a mentor. Both men have now thrown up their hands in frustration with Russell’s “deteriorating work habits.” Perhaps most damning, Ravens president Ozzie Newsome, a fellow Alabama native, refused a request to meet with Russell in January. Said one source to Cole, “The title of your article should be, ‘It’s Over.’” Source: Yahoo Sports Apr 14, 2:24 PMPlayer Outlook
——————-
good ole JRuss

Just Fire Baby

LMAO!!!

Debo loved to tell us about how hard he was working with Lucas.

Dakota

128.HairyBush Says:
April 14th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
JaMarcus Russell’s “life coach,” John Lucas, has cut ties with the 2007 draft bust and asked him to leave Houston, according to Yahoo’s Jason Cole.
Lucas, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft and all-American tennis player, is renowned for helping athletes with addiction and personal problems. After initially working hard to get back to the NFL, Russell had lost motivation, forcing Lucas to bring in Charles Barkley as a mentor. Both men have now thrown up their hands in frustration with Russell’s “deteriorating work habits.” Perhaps most damning, Ravens president Ozzie Newsome, a fellow Alabama native, refused a request to meet with Russell in January. Said one source to Cole, “The title of your article should be, ‘It’s Over.’” Source: Yahoo Sports Apr 14, 2:24 PMPlayer Outlook
——————-
good ole JRuss
++++++++++++++++++++++

I look forward to seeing Russell on an upcoming episode of Pawn Stars:

Episode 212, year 2013:

Rick: What’ve you got there?

JR: (inaudible)

Rick: Sorry, could you speak up?

JR: Chosen one necklace, diamonds and stuff.

Rick: What are you looking to do with it? Pawn it, sell it?

JR: Sell it. I need money for hookers, food and booze.

Rick: Well, okay, don’t we all? What are you looking to get out of it?

JR: Three.

Rick: Three what?

JR: Three mill.

Rick: Whoa! Let me take a look at it for a second….

JR: It is really shiny and has the name of a great NFL quarterback on it, and the chicks love it man.

Rick: Jamarcus Russell, wasn’t he that quarterback who is considered the biggest draft bust in the history of the NFL? How do you know him?

JR: (inaudible)

Rick: What?

JR: Its me, just give me some money man.

Rick: Oh sorry, didn’t recognize you. There just isn’t a market for Russell memorabilia….I can tell you that the diamonds themselves are worth something though, I’ll give you $250 thousand.

JR: What, I paid two million for it! Give me a million.

Rick: Here is what I will do, I will set up a passing range in the parking lot, and if Chumlee can out throw you with a football I get the necklace for $250 K, if you win I will give you $500K? Sound like a deal?

JR: Shhhh easy, yeah lets do it.

(in the back office) Rick: Man I watched this guy play for the Raiders, I didn’t recognize him when he walked in because he now weighs 450 lbs, but he couldn’t throw the ball worth a lick when he was playing, now that he hasn’t seen the football field for almost four years and looks like he lives at Golden Corral, I like my chances! heck, Chumlee probably would have beaten him in his “prime”!

HairyBush

130.Dakota Says:
April 14th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
128.HairyBush Says:
April 14th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
JaMarcus Russell’s “life coach,” John Lucas, has cut ties with the 2007 draft bust and asked him to leave Houston, according to Yahoo’s Jason Cole.
Lucas, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft and all-American tennis player, is renowned for helping athletes with addiction and personal problems. After initially working hard to get back to the NFL, Russell had lost motivation, forcing Lucas to bring in Charles Barkley as a mentor. Both men have now thrown up their hands in frustration with Russell’s “deteriorating work habits.” Perhaps most damning, Ravens president Ozzie Newsome, a fellow Alabama native, refused a request to meet with Russell in January. Said one source to Cole, “The title of your article should be, ‘It’s Over.’” Source: Yahoo Sports Apr 14, 2:24 PMPlayer Outlook
——————-
good ole JRuss
++++++++++++++++++++++

I look forward to seeing Russell on an upcoming episode of Pawn Stars:

Episode 212, year 2013:

Rick: What’ve you got there?

JR: (inaudible)

Rick: Sorry, could you speak up?

JR: Chosen one necklace, diamonds and stuff.

Rick: What are you looking to do with it? Pawn it, sell it?

JR: Sell it. I need money for hookers, food and booze.

Rick: Well, okay, don’t we all? What are you looking to get out of it?

JR: Three.

Rick: Three what?

JR: Three mill.

Rick: Whoa! Let me take a look at it for a second….

JR: It is really shiny and has the name of a great NFL quarterback on it, and the chicks love it man.

Rick: Jamarcus Russell, wasn’t he that quarterback who is considered the biggest draft bust in the history of the NFL? How do you know him?

JR: (inaudible)

Rick: What?

JR: Its me, just give me some money man.

Rick: Oh sorry, didn’t recognize you. There just isn’t a market for Russell memorabilia….I can tell you that the diamonds themselves are worth something though, I’ll give you $250 thousand.

JR: What, I paid two million for it! Give me a million.

Rick: Here is what I will do, I will set up a passing range in the parking lot, and if Chumlee can out throw you with a football I get the necklace for $250 K, if you win I will give you $500K? Sound like a deal?

JR: Shhhh easy, yeah lets do it.

(in the back office) Rick: Man I watched this guy play for the Raiders, I didn’t recognize him when he walked in because he now weighs 450 lbs, but he couldn’t throw the ball worth a lick when he was playing, now that he hasn’t seen the football field for almost four years and looks like he lives at Golden Corral, I like my chances! heck, Chumlee probably would have beaten him in his “prime”!

——————
thank you for some amusement

Just Fire Baby

I’m sure it is all Lucas’ fault.

Funny that the source said he told him “to leave Houston”.

That’s kind of harsh. I’m sure the girls down at Deja Vu in Houston disagree.

HairyBush

A source confirmed the team is scheduled to work out CB Curtis Brown (Texas) on Thursday

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ KoolKell

My Gawd, the difference in National Debt between Repugnant & Demo administrations is pretty dramatic. Look at the chart.

I seriously doubt Russell’s troubles with substance abuse and work ethic started the day the Raiders drafted him….I am sure had the Raiders employed a modicum of research into the guy’s background we all would have been cheering for Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson over the past several years.

Talent is only half the story with these players…..come on Al, hadn’t you learned that lesson by 2007??? Jezuz!

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ KoolKell

@Dakota,

I met a guy at the barbershop in 2008 who went to LSU with Russell.

I left the barbershop that day throughly depressed, with his disparaging talk about my franchise QB. (Blinghy, Ghetto, Dysfunctional family)

Dude said he was “shocked” he went #1.

Just Fire Baby

MM34 might be able to play some FS, but not if they are going to line him up on a WR like they did a lot with Huffy.

I think you lose a little defensive flexibility without Huff’s cover skills.

Dakota

KK,

Al simply watched Russell kill a weak ND team in a bowl game and then watched his impressive pro day and the pick was decided right then and there. The Raiders probably didn’t even interview anyone that knew Russell…..Al knows better than everyone, so why bother right?

Just Fire Baby

I remember when I was blogging at that time of the 2007 draft (right when I started) and said we should draft Peterson, and try to win every game 13-10 (fresh off the 2006 team that had great stats for a defense).

People laughed me off the board.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ KoolKell

Dakota

How can a 81 year old man, who can’t walk or travel, and calls ALL THE SHOTS, scout & investigate players?

Dakota

Man these misses with top picks has killed us….McFadden is the only one of the bunch that has promise recently.

Heck, beyond Nnamdi and McFadden the first round has been horrible for Al for a long, long time:

McClain = obviously nothing special

DHB = complete waste

Russell = maybe the biggest draft bust in history

Huff = semi-complete waste

Fabian = junk

Gallery = huge dissapointment

Buchanon = junk

Brayton = worthless

Nap Harris = we cut Beikert for this guy? Really?

Gibson = joke

Jano = never lived up to the hype and no kicker should
ever be picked that high